"We're very, very happy that the city manager saw this for what it was and realized officer Toombs was an innocent man," said attorney Philip Lupo, who represented Toombs on behalf of the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association. "Chief Savage was incredibly wrong, as wrong as one could be."

Savage was out of town Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. Lt. Frank Amandro, the department's acting spokesman, declined to comment.

An internal investigation found Toombs violated three department policies: conduct unbecoming an officer, commission of a felony and perjury in an official proceeding.

Toombs was accused of using a belt to hit a boy who had run away from home. The boy's parents filed a complaint against Toombs the next day.

Lupo questioned Savage's decision during an earlier hearing, saying the parents' credibility was in question and noting that a neighbor testified she saw the boy's mother thank Toombs after the incident.